D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
June
2009
Dark Skies, New Mexico
Page: 2In November 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the link between nighttime light and various cancers. It declared night-time shift work a carcinogen in environments where workers could not be protected during daytime sleep. So, if you work the night-shift, be sure to install blackout blinds.
The loss of dark skies also has some rather nasty environmental effects. Recent research finally establishes, without a doubt, that birds and other animals are confused by artificial lighting at night. Too much light interrupts breeding cycles, foraging behaviors, and migration cycles, leading birds and animals away from food and, importantly, breeding. Other research has shown the photosynthetic cycles of deciduous trees are interrupted by artificial light, causing them to hold onto their leaves.
More recently, other studies have shown night lighting from cities and towns, gas flares and light-induced fisheries negatively impact marine organisms such as fish and coral-reef inhabitants. Coral reefs are much hotter where there is more nighttime light. It's not only the depletion of ozone through carbon fuels that is contributing to the heating of our oceans. The final word on how much the presence of nighttime light is harming birds, animals, and plant life is currently being written.
Even if you ignore this data, consider the waste of energy caused by too much artificial night light. The International Dark-Sky Association recently published a study (there are others) clearly showing how nighttime lighting wastes upwards of $1.5 billion dollars every year in electricity costs. Producing all that energy also accounts for the release of more than 12 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Some cities are getting the message. In Chicago and Toronto, for example, officials dim or turn off what they consider unnecessary lights twice a year during migration periods in an effort to prevent birds from being influenced. Toronto's "Lights Out Toronto!" initiative has been credited with a nighttime light reduction of as much as 20%.
Calgary, Alberta, recently embarked on an ambitious program to retrofit more than 40,000 wasteful residential streetlights with fully shielded, low-glare fixtures that direct their light downward. The use of efficient, lower-wattage lamps will save taxpayers $2 million a year or more in electricity costs and, data shows, make the streets safer for drivers and pedestrians.
No discussion of light pollution would be complete without acknowledging our sincere and genuine desire to protect ourselves and others from those who would use darkness to take advantage. The interesting fact, however, is that the use of bright outdoor lights above our homes and ranches serves only to light the way for burglars. Criminals use those lights to identify potential targets, evaluate when a situation is low risk, and find a way inside.
The bottom line is that no data has been found, anywhere in the world, to establish a clear link between bright lights at night and a reduction in crime. Would-be criminals use your outside lights not only to find a way in, but, according to some, to identify where the master bedroom is located because that's where valuables are typically kept.
The best solutions to light pollution include using appropriate motion-detector lights, strategically located and shielded. Street lights should have staggered switching devices installed.
Most law-enforcement officers have known all this for years. In Toledo, Ohio, for example, officers who cruise the streets report the lighting set-up in areas where there is the highest crime. After working with residents in those areas, overall crime was reduced. In other places, this data is typically used with groups applying for acceptance into Neighborhood Watch Programs.
So what can New Mexicans do? For many years now, our state has had an outdoor lighting statute that requires any lighting fixtures installed after Jan. 1, 2000, to be shielded. Exceptions include "incandescent fixtures of 150 watts or less and other sources of 70 watts or less," unless shut off after 11 p.m. at night and through sunrise. Two further exemptions apply to sporting events that began prior to 11 p.m. and to airports. Another exists, sadly, for billboards.
As part of this legislation, the selling or installation of mercury vapor lights was completely outlawed after Jan. 1, 2000.
But, for all practical purposes, no one in our area is enforcing this state law. The fine for having such a light fixture is so low it apparently has just not been worth the effort for law enforcement officials to issue violations.
Work to raise the fine is underway. And in April, Gov. Bill Richardson signed a new law making the enforcement of the Night Sky Protection Act mandatory. Efforts are also underway to tie federal and state funds to a local government's record of enforcing this act.
Solutions for light-pollution problems are win-win propositions. Proper lighting that doesn't shine up into the night sky costs less, is less offensive, keeps us healthier, and keeps our oceans and food chain intact. Protecting our nighttime also means that some people can still look up and see starry skies not so different from those first glimpsed by Galileo, 400 years ago.
Gary Emerson is a retired aerospace engineer who spent 40 years working in space science and astronomy. He moved to Silver City for the quality of the night sky. Kathy Anderson, a retired mediator, hearing officer and educator, wishes she'd become an astronomer.
The Silver City Astronomical Society has monthly astronomy programs, except for May and June, and has a list of web resources. Email silvecityofstars@live.com for more information.